The new structure aims to provide all of Brazil's world-class players with a top-quality training regime

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 28, 2013 – There was sweat on the sand courts and in the gym of the Aryzão, the Brazilian Centre for Volleyball Development in Saquarema, as 13 players called by coach Leticia Pessoa began training to become the Brazilian men’s beach volleyball team for international competitions in 2013. Meanwhile, 12 women also started exercises under their coach, Marcos Miranda.

The players, who worked in two groups in Aryzão, include Alison, Alvaro Filho, Bruno Schmidt, Daniel Souza, Daniel Lazzari, Emanuel, Evandro, Hevaldo, Pedro Cunha, Pedro Solberg, Ricardo, Thiago and Vitor Felipe. Brian, Edson Filipe and Leonardo Gomes are also part of the team.

Coach Leticia does not hide her enthusiasm for the new system for Brazilian beach volleyball. The three-time Olympic medallist predicts an even more triumphant future for her country on the beach.

“It is really satisfying to take up this job,” Leticia said. “The creation of the Brazilian beach national team is a big validation of our sport. For the first time, we have the best players practicing together in the best possible structure. Beach volleyball has a chance to grow with this project – especially the young players that do not have the practice at high levels that we have here. Our goal is to win two medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.”

The most experienced player on the team, 39-year-old Olympic champion Emanuel, also approves of the idea and says the team practices are good for the whole group.

“The creation of a national team was a necessity with the international scenario that we have today,” Emanuel affirms. “This idea will help the Brazilian beach volleyball regain and keep its hegemony. In my career I had the opportunity to be part of different practice regimes, and the possibility to train with a national team gives me a lot of motivation. It is also important that we always give our best to keep up the rhythm of the group.”

The women got their start in the practices this week as well. Last Tuesday, ten players worked out on the sand courts under coach Miranda’s guidance.

The sessions are the first to assemble the Brazilian women’s beach volleyball team created at the end of the 2012 season. The players representing Brazil in the season’s international competitions will be selected from among them. The original list can be modified, to include or exclude players during the year.

“The volleyball world scenario is suffering different changes in its rules and systems and this new format favours the creation of the National team,” Miranda said. “Now, beach volleyball is working as all the other team sports. The goal is to provide a better structure and quality of practice for the players.”